Cycling shoe with rear entry

ABSTRACT

A shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The upper includes a heel portion movable relative to a mid portion from an open position to a closed position. A securing mechanism (e.g., a lace and a dial for tightening the lace) is coupled between the heel portion and the mid portion. Preferably, the dial is secured near an edge of the mid portion near an instep opening, and the lace is positioned in a passageway in the mid portion. The heel portion can comprise a flexible fabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the sole and rearward of the mid portion. Preferably, the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion (e.g., defining the pivot point) below the wide portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/218,762 filed Jun. 19, 2009, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to cycling equipment, and particularly tocycling shoes adapted for use by triathletes.

In the modern sporting event called a triathlon, triathletes compete inswimming, cycling, and running segments with the goal of crossing thefinish line in the shortest elapsed time. In order to improve one's timefor the event, it is helpful to have short transitions between thesegments of the event. In order to reduce the transition time from theswimming segment to the cycling segment, triathletes commonly have theirbikes prepared with cycling shoes already attached to the pedals. Withthis arrangement, when transitioning from the swimming segment to thecycling segment, the triathletes do not need to put the shoes on first,but instead can mount the bicycle and pedal and/or coast with their feeton top of the shoes before they slip their feet in to the shoes.

SUMMARY

The present invention is designed to facilitate easy insertion of thetriathlete's foot into the cycling shoe in order to shorten the time ittakes to fully mount the bicycle, and to facilitate securing the shoe tothe foot. More specifically, in one aspect, the present inventionprovides a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. Theupper includes a mid portion and a heel portion movable relative to themid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of a user'sfoot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures the user's footin the shoe. A securing mechanism is coupled between the heel portionand the mid portion. The securing mechanism includes a lace extendingfrom the heel portion to the mid portion.

In one embodiment, the securing mechanism further includes a rotary dial(e.g., secured to the mid portion) coupled to the lace such thatrotation of the dial tightens the lace. Preferably, the mid portionincludes an instep opening in an instep region, and the upper furtherincludes a tongue positioned in the instep opening. In this embodiment,the dial can be secured near an edge of the mid portion near the instepopening.

The mid portion can further include a passageway, and the lace can bepositioned in the passageway. For example, the mid portion can includeopposing left and right passageways on opposing left and right sides ofthe mid portion, and the lace can be positioned in the left and rightpassageways. Preferably the lace passes over an instep region of the midportion.

In another aspect, the heel portion comprises a flexible fabric thatacts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of the heelportion relative to the mid portion. Preferably, the flexible fabricalso extends toward and forms part of the mid portion.

In yet another aspect, the heel portion pivots relative to the midportion at a pivot point positioned above the sole (i.e., outsole andinsole) and rearward of the mid portion. Preferably, the heel portionincludes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, andwherein the pivot point substantially corresponds with the narrowportion. In addition, the wide portion of the heel portion can includeleft and right arms extending toward left and right sides of the midportion, respectively.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cycling shoe according to oneaspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1 in anintermediate position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cycling shoe according to anotheraspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 shows a shoe 10 having a sole comprising an outsole 14 and aninsole 16, an upper 18 secured to the outsole 14, and a securingmechanism 22 for securing the shoe 10 onto a rider's foot. Theillustrated shoe 10 is a cycling shoe 10 for use with a bicycle.Specifically, the shoe 10 is for use with “clipless” or “clip-in” stylebicycle pedals. However, the shoe 10 may be used without “clipless”style bicycle pedals, as desired.

With reference to FIG. 3, the illustrated outsole 14 is made of a rigidpolymer. However, other rigid materials may be used, such as afiber-matrix composite, wood, or other materials, as is known in theart. The illustrated outsole 14 also includes a heel pad 26 and amounting portion 30 for mounting a pedal clip, as desired. In otherconstructions, the heel pad 26 and mounting portion 30 may be differentor eliminated.

The illustrated insole 16 is a flexible insert that includes padding andarch support for the rider's foot and provides a more comfortable fit.The insole 16 is supported on the outsole 14 and is removable. Inanother construction, the insole 16 may be connected to the outsole 14such that it is inhibited from removal.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper 18 includes a toe portion 34, aheel portion 38, and a mid portion 42 connecting the toe portion 34 andthe heel portion 38. The illustrated upper 18 is constructed of acomposite of flexible fabrics. Specifically, the illustrated upper 18 isconstructed of a fabric weave and a synthetic leather.

The mid portion 42 includes an instep region 46 generally in thelongitudinal center of the upper 18 and defining a right side 50 (FIG.2) and a left side 54 (FIG. 1). An instep opening 58 is formed in theinstep region 46 between the right side 50 and the left side 54 andextends forward from a foot opening 62 to the toe portion 34. A rightpassageway 66 (FIG. 2) is formed in the right side 50 and a leftpassageway 70 is formed in the left side 54. A sleeve 74 connects theentrance and exit of the right passageway 66 and left passageway 70. Theillustrated sleeves 74 are made of plastic and run internal the upper18. The left and right passageways 66, 70 are configured to receive alace 114, as will be described below in more detail. In otherconstructions, the left and right passageways 66, 70 may be placeddifferently, be longer or shorter than illustrated, or start and stop indifferent places, as desired.

A tongue 78 is positioned across the instep opening 58 and cooperateswith the upper 18 to form the foot opening 62. The illustrated tongue 78is connected to the left side 54 and wraps across the instep opening 58and under the right side 50, leaving a portion of the instep opening 58open. Alternatively, the tongue 78 may wrap over the top of the rightside 50. In other constructions, the tongue 78 may be shaped differentlyor extend along more or less of the instep opening 58. For example, FIG.8. shows an example where the tongue 78 is connected to the toe portion34 and extends substantially the full length of the instep opening 58 tothe foot opening 62.

A front closure mechanism in the form of a flexible strap 82 ispositioned across the instep opening 58 substantially adjacent the toeportion 34. The illustrated flexible strap 82 includes a hook and loopfastener and may be tightened with the rider's foot held in the shoe 10to provide a more secure hold and support to the rider's foot. In otherembodiments, the front closure mechanism may be a lace or employ otherfasteners, as desired.

The heel portion 38 includes a wide portion 86 defining a right arm 90and a left arm 94, and a narrow portion 98 below the wide portion 86.The right arm 90 and the left arm 94 extend toward the right and leftsides 50, 54 of the mid portion 42, respectively. The heel portion 38 isformed of a flexible fabric that forms a living hinge at the narrowportion 98. In the illustrated shoe 10, the living hinge is locatedabove the outsole 14 and insole 16, and rearward of the mid portion 42.The mid portion 42 and the heel portion 38 are formed of the sameflexible fabric. A closure-assist member in the form of a loop 102 offlexible fabric is connected to the back of the heel portion 38. A heelpassageway 106 is formed through the wide portion 86 from the right arm90 to the left arm 94. A sleeve 74 extends from the entrance to the exitof the heel passageway 106. The illustrated sleeve 74 is made of plasticand runs internal the heel portion 38.

The heel portion 38 is movable between an open position (broken lines inFIG. 3) where the heel portion 38 is folded down to allow direct accessto the foot opening 62 and a closed position (FIG. 1) where the heelportion 38 is up to hold the rider's foot in the shoe 10. FIG. 5 showsthe heel portion 38 in an intermediate position between the openposition and the closed position. The heel portion 38 pivots at theliving hinge.

The securing mechanism 22 includes a rotary dial 110 and the lace 114.The rotary dial 110 is secured near an edge 118 of the left side 54 ofthe instep region 46 near the instep opening 58. The lace 114 passesthrough the right passageway 66, the left passageway 70, and the heelpassageway 106 and connects at the rotary dial 110. The passageways 66,70 allow the lace 114 to pass through the upper 18 such that asubstantial portion of the lace 114 is not exposed.

The rotary dial 110 includes grips around the circumference to enablethe rider to grasp and turn the rotary dial 110 about an axis. The lace114 is connected to the rotary dial 110 such that rotating the rotarydial 110 in a first direction tightens the lace 114, and lifting therotary dial 110 away from the shoe 10 allows the lace 114 to loosen.Alternatively, rotating the rotary dial 110 in a second direction mayloosen the lace 114. An exemplary dial is shown and described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,591,050 assigned to Boa Technology, Inc., the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entirety. When the lace 114 isloosened, the heel portion 38 may be moved to the open position. Whenthe lace 114 is tightened, the heel portion 38 is held in the closedposition. In the illustrated construction, the tongue 78 also includes aloop 102 that the lace 114 passes through. In another construction, therotary dial 110 may be a ratcheting dial and a push button may beutilized to loosen the lace 114 by releasing the ratchet dial.

In operation, a rider loosens the flexible strap 82 and rotates therotary dial 110 to loosen the lace 114. The heel portion 38 is thenmoved to the open position. The rider then inserts the rider's foot intothe foot opening 62 and forward fully into the shoe 10. The rider thentightens the flexible strap 82 such that the shoe 10 is secured aboutthe front of the rider's foot. The rider then grasps the loop 102 offlexible fabric and pulls the heel portion 38 toward the closedposition. Once the heel portion 38 is in the closed position, the rotarydial 110 is rotated to tighten the lace 114 to secure the heel portion38 in the closed position and hold the rider's foot securely in place114 within the shoe 10.

To remove the rider's foot from the shoe 10, the rider lifts the rotarydial 110 to loosen the lace 114. The heel portion 38 is then moved tothe open position, the flexible strap 82 is loosened, and the rider'sfoot is removed. Alternatively, the rider's foot may be placed in theshoe 10 and removed without loosening the flexible strap 82.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate construction of the shoe 10. The front closuremechanism is a rotary dial 122 with a lace 126 similar to the rotarydial 110 used to tighten the heel portion 38. The rotary dial 122 may beturned in one direction to loosen the lace 126 and in the other totighten the lace 126. Alternatively, a button may be employed to releasethe lace 126 for loosening.

It is noted that, the shoes described above and illustrated in FIGS.1-5, the outsole 14 comprises a unitary structure. That is, the outsole14 does not include parts that move with the heel portion 38. Rather,the rear entry feature of these designs is accomplished by moving theheel portion 38 relative to the outsole 14 and relative to the midportion 42 of the upper 18.

One advantageous use of the shoe 10 is for triathlon athletes. The shoes10 may be clipped into the pedals of a bicycle with the heel portion 38in the open position before an athlete approaches the bicycle. Then theathlete positions his or her foot within the shoe 10 while the shoe 10is still clipped into the bicycle. The athlete can then move the heelportion 38 to the closed position and tighten the closures to secure thefoot in the shoe 10. Likewise, the athlete can remove the foot from theshoe 10 without removing the shoe 10 from the bicycle pedals. Thisadvantage provides a faster transition time between swimming andbicycling, and between bicycling and running. Additionally, the shoe 10provides an easier entry and exit to the shoe 10 even when not alreadyattached to the bicycle pedal.

1. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper secured to the sole, the upperincluding: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative to the midportion from an open position, which allows insertion of a user's footinto the shoe, to a closed position, which secures the user's foot inthe shoe; and a securing mechanism coupled between the heel portion andthe mid portion, the securing mechanism including a lace extending fromthe heel portion to the mid portion.
 2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1,wherein the securing mechanism further includes a rotary dial coupled tothe lace such that rotation of the dial tightens the lace.
 3. A shoe asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the dial is secured to the mid portion.
 4. Ashoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mid portion includes an instepopening in an instep region, wherein the upper further includes a tonguepositioned in the instep opening, and wherein the dial is secured nearan edge of the mid portion near the instep opening.
 5. A shoe as claimedin claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes a passageway, and whereinthe lace is positioned in the passageway.
 6. A shoe as claimed in claim1, wherein the mid portion includes opposing left and right passagewayson opposing left and right sides of the mid portion, and wherein thelace is positioned in the left and right passageways.
 7. A shoe asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes an instep region,and wherein the lace passes over the instep region.
 8. A shoe as claimedin claim 1, wherein the heel portion includes left and right armsextending toward left and right sides of the mid portion, respectively,and wherein the lace extends from at least one of the left and rightarms.
 9. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper secured to the sole, theupper including: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative tothe mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of auser's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures theuser's foot in the shoe, wherein the heel portion comprises a flexiblefabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of theheel portion relative to the mid portion.
 10. A shoe as claimed in claim9, wherein the flexible fabric extends toward and forms part of the midportion.
 11. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the living hingepivots at a location above the sole.
 12. A shoe as claimed in claim 11,wherein the living hinge pivots at a location rearward of the midportion.
 13. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heel portionincludes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, andwherein the living hinge substantially corresponds with the narrowportion.
 14. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heel portionincludes left and right arms extending toward left and right sides ofthe mid portion, respectively.
 15. A shoe comprising: a sole; an uppersecured to the sole, the upper including: a mid portion; and a heelportion movable relative to the mid portion from an open position, whichallows insertion of a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position,which secures the user's foot in the shoe, wherein the heel portionpivots relative to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above thesole and rearward of the mid portion.
 16. A shoe as claimed in claim 15,wherein the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portionbelow the wide portion, and wherein the pivot point substantiallycorresponds with the narrow portion.
 17. A shoe as claimed in claim 15,wherein the wide portion includes left and right arms extending towardleft and right sides of the mid portion, respectively.
 18. A shoe asclaimed in claim 13, further comprising a closure-assist member securedto the heel portion.
 19. A shoe as claimed in claim 18, wherein theclosure-assist member comprises a loop of flexible fabric.